Disposable umbrella

ABSTRACT

A disposable umbrella includes a staff having an upper end and a lower end suitable for gripping by a user. A fixed collar is mounted on the upper end of the staff. A plurality of main struts are pivotably attached to the fixed collar and extend radially from the fixed collar. The main struts are movable from collapsed positions, wherein the main struts extend generally parallel to the staff, to open positions, wherein the main struts extend outwardly from the staff. A water-resistant or waterproof film forming a canopy is fixed to the main struts, such as by adhesive, and extends generally from the staff to the extended ends of the main struts. A slidable collar has a bore therethrough and is slidably mounted for movement along the staff. A plurality of actuating struts are provided, the actuating struts having inner ends pivotably attached to the slidable collar and outers end pivotably attached to associated main struts so that movement of the collar along the staff towards the upper end of the staff causes the main struts to move out to their open positions. A latch is provided for selectively holding the slidable collar in a predetermined position on the staff to thereby hold the main struts in the open position, or releasing the slidable collar to allow movement of the slidable collar towards the lower end. The staff, collars, struts, and latch are all formed of biodegradable materials. The canopy is preferably transparent and made of a biodegradable material. In this way the umbrella may be disposed of while minimizing or totally eliminating the harm to the environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/605,166filed on Nov. 28, 2006, currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to umbrellas and, in particular,to disposable umbrellas.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Umbrellas have long been known and numerous umbrella mechanisms existsfor opening and closing or collapsing umbrellas. Umbrellas can typicallybe broken down into two main categories. The first is a group ofrelatively permanent or long lasting umbrellas and the second aredisposable umbrellas. The traditional umbrellas of the permanent or longlasting type tend to be made with better and stronger materials,possibly more decorative and, for these reasons, are relativelyexpensive. The disposable umbrellas are generally relative inexpensiveso that if such an umbrella is damaged and needs to be discarded theloss is relatively small.

It seems that you never have an umbrella when you need it, and this hasled to numerous disposable umbrella designs that are not as complex orexpensive as the more traditional umbrellas and are typically expectedto fail after one or several uses. Examples of disposable umbrellas aredisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,528; 6,234,185;5,964,234; 5,069,237; 4,821,756; 4,819,679; 4,370,993; 4,215,711;4,542,757; and 3,889,700. All of these umbrellas, while different indesign, all tend to be relatively inexpensive this making them“disposable”. However, the proliferation of such disposable umbrellashas created a problem for the environment. Thus, many of these umbrellasinclude materials that are not biodegradable, such as fiber glass stemsor staffs, nylon canopies, various metallic parts, including metallicstruts or ribs and spring actuated latches for maintaining the umbrellasin the opened condition. When such “disposable” umbrellas are discardedmany of the parts continue to linger and thus present a long rangeproblem for the environment.

While some umbrellas have been used, particularly in the Far East, whichare made of bamboo materials and rice paper for a canopy, such umbrellasare primarily used as parasols to protect the user from the sun's raysand are not suitable for inclement rainy weather conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide afunctional waterproof or water resistant disposable umbrella that doesnot have the disadvantages inherent in prior known umbrellas.

It is another object of the invention to provide a functional waterproofor water resistant disposable umbrella which can be used both forprotection against the sun as well as with inclement rainy weather.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a functionalwaterproof or water resistant umbrella as in a previous object which issimple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a functionalwaterproof or water resistant umbrella as in the aforementioned objectswhich is at least partially made of bio-degradable components so thatthe umbrella can be discarded while reducing the harm to theenvironment.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will beevident, a fully or partially biodegradable disposable functionalwaterproof or water resistant umbrella in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a staff having an upper end and a lower end suitablefor gripping by a user. A fixed collar is mounted to said upper end ofsaid staff. A plurality of main struts are pivotably attached to suchfixed collar and extend radially from said fixed collar, said pluralityof main struts being movable from collapsed positions wherein said mainstruts extend generally parallel to said staff to open positions whereinsaid main struts extend outwardly from said staff. A waterproof film inthe form of a canopy is fixed to said plurality of main struts andextend generally from said staff to the extended ends of said mainstruts. A slidable collar having a core therethrough is slidably mountedon said staff. A plurality of actuating struts are provided which haveinner ends pivotably attached to said slidable collar and outer endspivotably that's attached to associated main struts so that moment ofsaid slidable collar along said staff towards said upper end of saidstaff causes said main struts to move out to said open positions.Latching means is provided for selectively holding said slidable collarin a predetermined position on said staff to thereby hold said mainstruts in said open positions or releasing said slidable collar to allowmovement of said slidable collar towards said lower end. Said staff,collars, struts and latching means are all formed of bio-degradablematerials. The canopy is preferably formed of a bio-degradablewaterproof or water resistant film, although any waterproof or waterresistant film may be used. In this manner, the umbrella may be disposedof while reducing the harm to the environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be better understood from the following specificationwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bio-degradable disposablefunctional waterproof or water resistant umbrella in accordance with thepresent invention, shown partially broken away to show the cooperationof the supporting struts of the collapsible frame;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding hub shown inFIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but shown enlarged to indicate additionaldetails of costruction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of a detail shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sliding hub and post when thesliding hub is in its locked position to maintain the umbrella in anopen or extended position; and

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing a different embodiment of alatching mechanism for maintaining the hub in its locked or latchedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in which the identical orsimilar parts will be designated by the same reference numeralsthroughout, a biodegradable functional waterproof or water resistantdisposable umbrella in accordance with the present invention isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The umbrella 10 includes a staff, post or rod 12 having an upper end 12a and a lower end 12 b which is typically terminated in a handle or agripping member to facilitate holding of the umbrella during use.

A fixed collar or hub 14 is mounted at the upper end 12 a of the staff.A collapsible frame 16 is structurally and functionally similar to aconventional umbrella frames and includes a plurality of main struts orribs 18 the radially inner ends of which are pivotably attached to thefixed collar or hub 14 and extend radially from the hub. The main struts18 are movable from collapsed positions (not shown) wherein the mainstruts extend generally parallel to the staff to open positions, asshown in FIG. 1, wherein the main struts extend outwardly from the staff12.

A waterproof or water resistant film or canopy 20 is fixed to the mainstruts and extend generally from the staff 12 to the extended ends ofthe main struts as shown. The canopy 20 may be attached to the mainstruts 18 in any conventional manner.

A slidable collar 22 has a bore 22 a dimensioned substantiallycorrespond to the outer diameter of the staff or rod 12 to provide asliding fit there between. The slidable collar is slidably mounted onthe staff and move between an upper position shown in FIG. 1 and aposition of the slidable hub more approximate to the lower end 12 b ofthe staff. The actuating struts or ribs 24 have inner ends pivotablyattached to the slidable collar or hub 22 and outer ends pivotablyattached to associated main struts 18 so that the movement of theslidable collar 22 along the staff 12 towards the upper end of the staffcauses the main struts 18 to move out to the open positions as shown inFIG. 1.

Suitable latching mechanism 26 is provided for selectively holding theslidable collar or hub 22 in a predetermined position on the staff 12 tohold the main struts 18 in the open positions or release the slidablecollar or hub to allow movement of the slidable collar towards the lowerends 12 b.

The general construction of the collapsible frame 16 and its functionsare generally similar to well know umbrella constructions, and theumbrella 10 can be collapsed or locked in the open positions as otherconventional umbrellas. However, to avoid using metallic, plastic orother materials which are not biodegradable, the hubs 14, 22 arepreferably formed of wood and the struts 18, 24 are likewise made ofwood, such as bamboo strips. To provide the desired pivoting orarticulation where the struts join each other or where the strutsinteract with the hubs, the hubs 14, 26 may be constructed as shown inFIG. 2. Thus, the slidable hub 22 is shown having a portion thereofformed with circumferentially spaced slots 28 which, in turn, createspaced walls 30. By aligning holes 24′ in the ends of the actuatingstruts 24 received within the slots 28 with holes 30′ formed in thewalls 30 a retainer filament 32 may pass through the holes as shown inFIG. 2 to attach the struts to the hub and also serve as pivot pointsabout which the struts may move relative to the hub. A similarconstruction may be used for the pivotable attachment of the main struts18 with the fixed hub 14. String, wooden pins or pegs or the like mayalso be used to pivotably attach or secure the ends of the actuatingstruts 24 where they are pivotably attached to the main struts 18.

Referring to FIG. 3, cord or netting 36 may be used to stabilize andmaintain the position or relationships between the actuating struts andthe main struts and, similarly, cord or netting 38 may be used to securethe relative positions of the actuating struts 24 at the locationsapproximate to the slidable hub 22.

As suggested, while the main struts 18 may be secured to the waterprooffilm or canopy 20 in any conventional manner, any suitablebio-degradable adhesive 40 may be used, water soluble adhesivesgenerally being suitable for this purpose. Alternately, bio-degradablesections of cord or string may be used as is well known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 5, the staff 12 is shown formed of a hollow bamboostem having a generally cylindrical wall 12 c creating a channel 12 dalong the length of the stem. In accordance with the one embodiment ofthe invention, the latching mechanism 26 is in the form of 2diametrically opposed portions or tabs 42 that are radially outwardlyoffset from a distance “d” from the outer surface of the wall 12 c. Theportions or tabs 42 are cut from the sides of the wall to form openings44 where the tabs originally or situated. By offsetting the tabs asshown, these tabs are movable between a normal radially outwardlyextended position as shown in FIG. 5 to engage and retain the slidablecollar or hub 22 by engaging the lower surface 22″ in a position toretain the struts 18, 24 in the open positions. However, by manuallypressing the portions or tabs inwardly there are movable into theopenings 44 to clear the surface 22″ of the collar 22 and allow thesestruts to move to the collapsed conditions by moving the movable hubdownwardly towards the lower end 12 b. By making the portions or tabs 42somewhat resilient they can be bent by application of a radially inwardpressure or force but return to there normal positions shown in FIG. 5when such pressure is released. By flaring or tapering outwardly towardsthe upper end 12 a as shown, the slidable hub can be moved to thelatching positions by a forcibly sliding the hub beyond the tabs 42, thetabs being urged into the openings 44 by the hub 22 itself and snap backto the positions shown in FIG. 5 when the hub 22 is moved beyond thetabs 42.

In accordance with another embodiment of the latch 26, wherein the staff12 is formed of a hollow bamboo stem having the generally cylindricalwall 12 c, the latch includes an insert 46 that has a plug 48dimensioned to be securely held within the channel 12 d in a deflectabletab 48 that is movable between an extended or locking position shown assolid outline in FIG. 6, and a releasing position shown in phantomoutline. The deflectable tab 50 is normally bias or urged to extendoutwardly through the opening 12 e in the wall of the staff to engagethe lower surface 22′ of the slidable hub. When the umbrella is to becollapsed the deflectable tab 50 can be pressed inwardly to be receivedwithin the channel 12 d to clear the hub and allow the hub to movetowards the lower end 12 b.

It will be evident that the latching mechanisms shown in FIGS. 5 and 6may be formed totally of wood such as from bamboo or other wood that cansustain a limited degree of flexing or bending without breaking.

An important feature of the invention, as noted, is that most componentsof the umbrella are bio-degradable, so that the staff 12 is made of woodsuch as a bamboo stem. The struts are likewise made of wood and may beformed of bamboo strips. The collars or hubs are likewise made of woodand the retaining filament 32 as well as the cords or nettings 36, 38are also made of biodegradable material, such as cotton.

The waterproof or water resistant film or canopy 20 is preferably butnot necessarily made of bio-degradable material. It must be waterproofor water resistant to functionally serve the purpose for which theumbrella is used, namely to protect the user from rain by preventingwater from passing therethrough. When made of a bio-degradable material,any suitable materials may be used for this purpose. Thus, for example,bio-degradable fabrics, such as cotton textiles may be used if treatedwith water repelling substances. In accordance with the presentlypreferred embodiment, the canopy is formed of a biodegradable plastics.Such plastics may be derived from plant sources, such as hemp oil, soilbean oil and corn starch rather than traditional plastics which arederived from petroleum. The bio-degradable materials, therefore, do notrely on fossil fuel imports and produce less greenhouse submissionsbio-plastics, for example, are truly bio-degradable as opposed to whatis traditionally referred as “bio-degradable plastic” which is derivedfrom petroleum and mixed with heavy metals which cause some plastics,such as polyethylene, to break down. Also, for example, certainadditives are available for rendering some plastics biodegradable. Suchan additive is available, for example, for Bio-tech Environmental ofCedar Crest, N. Mex. which produces “Bio-batch” bio-degradable additivewhich when mixed with PE, PP, PS, PET or PVC renders the plastic resencecompletely bio-degradable in 1-5 years. The additive does not change thephysical properties of the plastic itself and has an indefinite shelflife until placed in an active microbial environment (like a landfillwhere most plastics end up). Because traditional plastics are so durablethat they will not rote or decay as do natural products such as thosemade of wood, traditional umbrellas have been serious problems for theenvironment since literally millions of umbrellas are used daily andhave a limited life because of their generally delicate constructions.

Even if the canopy 20 is made of a suitable water resistant or waterrepellant material that is not biodegradable, a good portion or most ofthe umbrella is still bio-degradable and more environmentally friendlythan most currently used umbrellas that shield users from rain.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with apreferred form of an embodiment it will be understood that modificationsmay be made without the departure from the scope or spirit of theinvention.

1. A disposable umbrella comprising: a staff having an upper end and alower end suitable for gripping by a user; a fixed collar mounted tosaid upper end of said staff; a plurality of main struts pivablyattached to said fixed collar and extending radially from said fixedcollar, said plurality of main struts being movable from collapsedpositions wherein said main struts extend generally parallel to saidstaff to open positions wherein said main struts extend outwardly fromsaid staff; a water-resistant film fixed to said plurality of mainstruts and extending generally from said staff to the extended ends ofsaid main struts; a slidable collar having a bore therethrough and beingslidably mounted on said staff; a plurality of actuating struts, saidactuating struts having an inner end pivotably attached to said slidablecollar and an outer end pivotably attached to associated main struts sothat movement of said collar along said staff towards said upper end ofsaid staff causes said main struts to move out to said open positions;and latching means for selectively holding said slidable collar in apredetermined position on said staff to thereby hold main struts in saidopen positions, or releasing said slidable collar to allow movement ofsaid slidable collar towards said lower end, at least said staff,collars, struts, and latching means all being formed of bio-degradablematerials, whereby the umbrella may be disposed of while minimizing theadverse impact on the environment.
 2. (canceled)
 3. A disposableumbrella as in claim 1, wherein said waterproof film is a transparentsheet of plastic material.
 4. A disposable umbrella as in claim 1,wherein said main struts are made of wood.
 5. A disposable umbrella asin claim 1, wherein said actuating struts are made of wood. 6.(canceled)
 7. A disposable umbrella as in claim 1, wherein said collarsare made of wood.
 8. A disposable umbrella as in claim 1, wherein saidstruts are pivotably attached to said collars by means of bio-degradablestring.
 9. A disposable umbrella as in claim 8, wherein said string ismade of cotton.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A disposable umbrella as in claim 1,wherein said latching means if formed of wood.
 12. A disposable umbrellaas in claim 1, wherein said staff is formed of a hollow bamboo stemhaving a generally cylindrical wall, and said latching means comprisesat least one portion of said wall radially outwardly offset and movablebetween a normal radially outwardly extended position to engage andretain said slidable collar in a position to retain said struts in saidopen positions and being movable upon application of radially inwardpressure on said at least one portion to clear said slidable collar andallow said struts to move to said collapsed conditions.
 13. A disposableumbrella as in claim 1, wherein said staff is formed of a hollow bamboostem having a generally cylindrical wall, and said latching meanscomprises a bio-degradable member including a first portion positionablewithin a hollow channel of said stem and a second portion movablerelative between a first position extending radially outwardly throughan opening beyond said wall to engage and retain said slidable collar ina position to retain said struts in said open positions and beingmovable upon application of radially inward pressure on said secondportion to clear said slidable collar and allow said struts to move tosaid collapsed conditions.
 14. A disposable umbrella as in claim 13,wherein said bio-degradable member is formed of wood.
 15. A disposableumbrella as in claim 1, wherein said waterproof film is secured to saidmain struts by means of bio-degradable adhesive.
 16. A disposableumbrella as in claim 1, wherein said waterproof film is secured to saidmain struts by means of a heat seal.
 17. (canceled)
 18. A disposableumbrella as in claim 21, wherein said periphery is reinforced with acontinuous cord placed between said plies.
 19. A disposable umbrella asin claim 18, wherein said cord is bio-degradable cotton.
 20. Adisposable umbrella as in claim 18, wherein said continuous cord wrapsabout the radial outer ends of said main struts.
 21. A disposableumbrella comprising: a staff having an upper end and a lower endsuitable for gripping by a user; a fixed collar mounted to said upperend of said staff; a plurality of main struts pivably attached to saidfixed collar and extending radially from said fixed collar, saidplurality of main struts being movable from collapsed positions whereinsaid main struts extend generally parallel to said staff to openpositions wherein said main struts extend outwardly from said staff; awater-resistant film fixed to said plurality of main struts andextending generally from said staff to the extended ends of said mainstruts; a slidable collar having a bore therethrough and being slidablymounted on said staff; a plurality of actuating struts, said actuatingstruts having an inner end pivotably attached to said slidable collarand an outer end pivotably attached to associated main struts so thatmovement of said collar along said staff towards said upper end of saidstaff causes said main struts to move out to said open positions; andlatching means for selectively holding said slidable collar in apredetermined position on said staff to thereby hold main struts in saidopen positions, or releasing said slidable collar to allow movement ofsaid slidable collar towards said lower end, at least said staff,collars, struts and latching means all being formed of bio-degradablematerials, said waterproof film defining an outer periphery formed as afolded-over portion to provide a double ply film to strengthen saidwaterproof film against damage due to wind forces, whereby the umbrellamay be disposed of while minimizing the adverse impact on theenvironment.
 22. A disposable umbrella comprising: a staff having anupper end and a lower end suitable for gripping by a user; a fixedcollar mounted to said upper end of said staff; a plurality of mainstruts pivably attached to said fixed collar and extending radially fromsaid fixed collar, said plurality of main struts being movable fromcollapsed positions wherein said main struts extend generally parallelto said staff to open positions wherein said main struts extendoutwardly from said staff; a water-resistant film fixed to saidplurality of main struts and extending generally from said staff to theextended ends of said main struts, said film being a waterproof filmformed of PVC and an additive that substantially retains the physicalproperties of the PVC but renders the PVC film bio-degradable whenplaced in a landfill active microbial environment; a slidable collarhaving a bore therethrough and being slidably mounted on said staff; aplurality of actuating struts, said actuating struts having an inner endpivotably attached to said slidable collar and an outer end pivotablyattached to associated main struts so that movement of said collar alongsaid staff towards said upper end of said staff causes said main strutsto move out to said open positions; and latching means for selectivelyholding said slidable collar in a predetermined position on said staffto thereby hold main struts in said open positions, or releasing saidslidable collar to allow movement of said slidable collar towards saidlower end, said staff, collars, struts and latching means all also beingformed of bio-degradable materials, whereby the entire umbrella may bedisposed of while minimizing the adverse impact on the environment. 23.A disposable umbrella as in claim 22, wherein said additive comprises“Bio-Batch”™ additive.
 24. A method of biodegrading a disposableumbrella comprising the steps of forming an umbrella comprising: a staffhaving an upper end and a lower end suitable for gripping by a user; afixed collar mounted to said upper end of said staff; a plurality ofmain struts pivably attached to said fixed collar and extending radiallyfrom said fixed collar, said plurality of main struts being movable fromcollapsed positions wherein said main struts extend generally parallelto said staff to open positions wherein said main struts extendoutwardly from said staff; a water-resistant film fixed to saidplurality of main struts and extending generally from said staff to theextended ends of said main struts, said film being a waterproof filmformed of PVC and an additive that substantially retains the physicalproperties of the PVC but renders the PVC film bio-degradable whenplaced in a landfill active microbial environment; a slidable collarhaving a bore therethrough and being slidably mounted on said staff; aplurality of actuating struts, said actuating struts having an inner endpivotably attached to said slidable collar and an outer end pivotablyattached to associated main struts so that movement of said collar alongsaid staff towards said upper end of said staff causes said main strutsto move out to said open positions; and latching means for selectivelyholding said slidable collar in a predetermined position on said staffto thereby hold main struts in said open positions, or releasing saidslidable collar to allow movement of said slidable collar towards saidlower end, at least said staff, collars, struts and latching means allalso being formed of bio-degradable materials, whereby the entireumbrella may be disposed of while minimizing the adverse impact on theenvironment; and biodegrading the umbrella, when it is to be discarded,in a landfill environment.